LINCOLN- A new bill, LB662 introduced by Sen. Beau Ballard, seeks to limit the number of nuisance lawsuits that can be ordered against large agricultural operations. However, many critics of the bill argued that there simply isn't a nuisance lawsuit problem in Nebraska, and that Ballard's bill would "immunize" large agricultural operations from virtually all nuisance lawsuits.

Other opponents argued that the bill only favors large farming entities. "LB662 does not protect family farmers," said Susanne Haas, a lawyer and Washington County farmer, "it protects industrial entities like Costco." The bill was introduced by Ballard in conjunction with Lincoln Premium Poultry, a Fremont-based plant that processes chicken for local Costco's. Ballard, during the hearing, described the bill as a "preventative measure" that would protect large farming operations from out-of-state entities that have, in the past, plagued livestock confinement operations with lawsuits.

The Nebraska Right to Farm Act was initially passed to protect existing farming operations from lawsuits filed by "city slickers" who moved to rural areas and discovered that certain operations produce immense amounts of dust and odor. However, many critics argued that the bill goes too far in adding more protections for agricultural producers.

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